GOLD MINE CARETAKER ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF SHOOTING ACQUAINTANCE

The caretaker of a Julian gold mine property was arrested on suspicion of shooting an acquaintance Thursday, and investigators were trying to figure out why it happened.

The 44-year-old victim, suffering a gunshot that passed through his chest from one shoulder into the other, ran about a mile downhill to Banner Grade Road, where a passing motorist saw him and stopped to help, sheriff’s officials said.

The good Samaritan called 911 and drove the victim, a Julian resident, to a nearby fire station about 9 a.m. The wounded man was airlifted by medical helicopter to Palomar Medical Center.

He told a deputy he knew the first name of the man who shot him, but he didn’t know why, sheriff’s Lt. Rosemarie Kurupas said.

She said deputies headed to the 49-acre Kentuck Mine Complex on BLM land off state Route 78 and found the shooting suspect and his girlfriend. Both were taken into custody about 9:50 a.m.

James Roberson, 27, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Jennifer Minor, 40, was jailed on suspicion of conspiracy.

“We have no idea what this was about,” sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Poulin said.

Pauline Repard • U-T

Motorcyclist injured in hit-and-run; two cars were believed to be racing

San Diego

A motorcyclist was injured in a hit-and-run collision late Wednesday on south Interstate 5 when he was struck by two cars that were believed to have been racing, the California Highway Patrol said.

The incident was reported shortly after 10 p.m. south of 28th Street. All freeway lanes were temporarily closed during the investigation.

The cars were described as a silver Volkswagen Golf and a red Honda Civic. They had modified exhausts, lowered suspensions and high-intensity discharge ﻿headlights. One or both may have front-end or sideswipe damage, Wood said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the CHP office at (619) 220-5492.

Susan Shroder • U-T

Man shot in leg in Oak Park; S.D. police gang unit investigating

San Diego

A man was shot in the leg Wednesday night in Oak Park, and the San Diego police gang unit is investigating.

Officers responded about 9 p.m. to a report of shots fired near Harbor Vista condominiums on Pentecost Way, near Federal Boulevard, and found the victim.

The victim and another man, both in their late teens, had been walking with a female friend, and a car drove slowly by them, police Officer David Stafford said. A few minutes later, the car was parked and the men walked up to it. The woman walked away.

Two men got out of the car and issued gang challenges, Stafford said. The woman told police she heard gunshots.

The assailants were described as Latino, with one wearing a white hoodie and the other a gray hoodie.